As part of efforts aimed at accelerating the implementation of the School Health Education Programme (SHEP) in Sokoto State schools, representatives of the Sokoto State Ministry of Education (SSMOE) and the UNFPA Sokoto State Programme Adviser on July 26-28,2006 undertook a learning visit to the Lagos State Ministry of Education (LSMOE) and Action Health Incorporated (AHI).

The 3-day visit was undertaken to assess the level of progress made by the LSMOE in the FLHE Curriculum implementation in public Junior Secondary Schools in the State and to interact with all key stakeholders (at policy, operational and NGO levels) involved in the implementation and management of FLHE Curriculum in the state.

Furthermore, the study tour provided an opportunity for both parties to identify and explore future areas of collaboration amongst the different partners and stakeholders involved in FLHE programmes in Nigeria as well as develop an action plan that would guide the implementation of the project in Sokoto State.

The team, which comprised the SHEP Project Coordinator/HIV/AIDS Desk Officer, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa; Dr. Aliyu Yakubu, UNFPA Programme Adviser; Mr. Muhammed Ikililu Abubakar, Monitoring and Evaluation/Assistant Programme Coordinator, SHEP; and Mrs. Rabiatu Ulyam, Principal/TOT, JASS S/Birni, Sokoto held discussions with Directors of the LSMOE on the FLHE implementation in the state and this enabled both teams share their experiences. The learning visit was facilitated by AHI led by the Chairperson, Board of Trustees, AHI, Dr. O. A. Odiakosa. The team used the opportunity provided by the visit to present copies of the Sokoto State SHEP Curriculum to the LSMOE counterparts led by the Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs. A. A. Adeyemi.

At the end of the study visit, the participants resolved to revise the current SHEP curriculum for effective teaching, develop a scheme of work and also conduct training for more teachers and relevant key stakeholders.

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